Breast Cancer: What Women Should Know

>From relative obscurity, breast cancer has become one of the
leading causes of deaths among women in the world. In 2001,
about 200,000 cases of breast cancer have been reported in the
United States, making it the second leading cause of cancer
death in the US. It is, in fact, the most common malignancy
problem that is affecting women in North America and Europe
today.

But what is breast cancer and how do people get it?

Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors in the breast grow
and start to affect other tissues in the body. There is still no
clear indications how tumors are created but what is often
observed is that cancerous cells usually comes from ducts or
glands.

Although women’s health organizations advise women to massage
the breast daily and to feel for any lumps, it may a long time
before a cancerous cell get big enough for us to feel it. By
that time, it may already be too late. Doctors make use of
mammograms for their diagnosis.

Breast at risk

All women are actually at risk, with the risk increasing with
the presence of some risk factors that are already part of the
natural cycle, for example, aging. Family history of breast
cancer can also significantly affect the prognosis as heredity
has been found to play a role. Women who got their periods
before they were 12 years old and those who never had or had
children after 30 years old are also more likely to develop
breast cancer.

There are also risk factors that medical science can help alter
such as hormonal problems through replacement therapies. Women
are also advised to decrease their consumption of alcoholic
drinks, exercise every day and decrease the use of birth control
pills. Breastfeeding has been found to decrease the risk of
breast cancer development.

Although there are some factors that women can avoid to prevent
breast cancer from developing, cause and effect relationships
between these factors and breast cancer is still debatable. For
women who are already at high risk, doctors often recommend a
drug called Tamoxifen, which is known to decrease the risk by as
much 50 percent when taken in five years. Still, like all
medications, Tamoxifen has side effects such as hot flushes,
vaginal discharges and sometimes even blood clots. Taking the
drug can also lead to pulmonary emobolus, stroke and uterine
cancer, although these are all isolated cases.

Another avenue that women can go to is Vitamin A, which some
studies show to be effective in decreasing the risk. Still,
research is still in the initial stages and nothing has been
proven yet. Other things that are being linked to the breast
cancer fight are phytoestrogens, which can be found in soya,
Vitamin E, and Vitamin C.

But until something concrete is found in research, the only
thing that women can do to ensure that they are safe from breast
cancer is early detection. This can be done through daily
self-examinations as well as annual check ups and mammogram
tests. It is also important that women know the beginnings of
breast cancer. Here are some of the signs that they should watch
out for.

Lumps in the breast and in the underarms Scaling of the skin of
the breast and of the nipple Redness in the skin of the breast
and of the nipple Changes in the size of their breasts
Discharges from the nipple

If these signs are observed, it is best to consult a specialist
so that you can know whether you have breast cancer or not.

Menopause and Concentration

Menopause can adversely affect your ability to concentrate. It may become even more difficult to focus than before, you may also feel disorientated and experience a general state of mental confusion that is all-too-common at this mid-life transition.

These symptoms can be further exacerbated for women who have undergone a hysterectomy. Women find themselves often worrying whether or not they have forgotten to turn the iron off, or maybe they frequently forget to turn off the television before departing for work.

Menopause closely correlates with some decline in mental functions such as memory loss and the ability to clearly concentrate. Your ability to recall certain events and the ability to focus is often affected due to crucial hormonal imbalances in your system.

Estrogen regulates many female processes and plays a role in working with the neurotransmitters in the brain, sending signals to and from; in effect estrogen is responsible for maintaining healthy memory. Lost levels of this vital female hormone will quite simply affect your brain’s ability to function.

Couple this with the fact that menopausal woman are already undergoing stressful situations with numerous midlife transitions such as aging parents and children leaving home, and often women find themselves in very challenging situations.

Excessive stress can cause forgetfulness and you might feel distracted by the new range of responsibilities you have to face as you move into this next phase of life. Depression and fear over facing issues such as long-term illness, death and living alone can also result in difficulty in focusing, feelings of disorientation and mental confusion.

Remember, your concentration may be affected, but it is not as a result of getting older. It is the result of the hormonal imbalance and that can be helped significantly with natural, bioidentical hormones

Refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol - both of these can significantly increase menopause symptoms. Consume hormones that speed up bodily processes, like the over-the-counter drug DHEA. DHEA is short for dehydroepiandrosterone and is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands as well as by the brain and the skin, and is the most abundant steroid in the human body.

It has been reported that by the time we reach the age of 80 our DHEA level is only 15% of what it was when we were 25. Researchers say DHEA may prove to protect against cancer and heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol and preventing blood clots.

Recent studies also demonstrate that DHEA improves memory, strengthens the immune system, prevents bone loss and may even protect us from diabetes and autoimmune disease. It has been shown to fight fatigue and depression as well as enhance feelings of well being and increase strength. If all this sounds too good to e true, DHEA has also been reported to alleviate symptoms of menopause, reduce body fat and even enhance libido. Stay tuned for more on DHEA.

The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.

Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 25 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and plan development, as well as management of communications and public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be reached at Creative Communications: creative-com@cox.net or by visiting www.everythingmenopause.com, www.howtoconquermenopause.com or www.internet-marketing-small-business.com

PCOS and the possibility of Insulin Resistance.

I was cruising the “net” just recently, when I came across “PCOS”. I had never heard of this but I found it very interesting because for years I have suffered with blood sugar problems. So as soon as I come across an article that relates to blood sugar, I research it further. This is very interesting because so many women suffer with this condition. And, like many blood sugar conditions, it also can go undiagnosed.

What you’re about to read will give you a greater understanding of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and how to reverse its underlying condition, Insulin Resistance. This information is not about fad diets, magic pills or fantasy claims to transform the way you look and feel overnight. It is about accurate scientific information that can help you to effectively change the way your body responds to food and help reverse your PCOS.
Please take note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

INSULIN RESISTANCE IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF PCOS

http://syndromex.stanford.edu/InsulinResistance.htm
The above is a link to more detailed information from the stanford.edu website.

Are you one of the millions of women with PCOS who have failed to reverse the symptoms of this condition no matter what you’ve tried? It may not be due to lack of willpower. Instead, you could be Insulin Resistant, the root cause of PCOS.

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health, Stanford University and other research centers have clearly identified the existence and effects of Insulin Resistance, a biochemical condition that causes excessive weight gain and PCOS, which is also known as polycystic ovaries. If you are among the 65% of the overweight population with Insulin Resistance, your ability to reverse your PCOS and lose weight may not have been within your control - until now.

This breakthrough in understanding the body’s biochemistry remains relatively unknown, even though Insulin Resistance has reached epidemic proportions. Your doctor may not have explained the crucial link between Insulin Resistance and PCOS. You need to understand this link in order to reverse your condition.

The Insulite PCOS System is the first scientifically-designed method that restores your body’s ability to conquer PCOS by reversing Insulin Resistance.

You can also read more here:

http://www.pcosupport.org/living/nutrition/insulinre.php

PCOS AND INSULIN RESISTANCE

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a hormonal imbalance linked to the way the body processes insulin after it has been produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar (glucose).

The underlying cause of PCOS, Insulin Resistance, has many factors that contribute to its presence in the body. In essence, our environment and lifestyles have evolved too rapidly for our bodies to keep pace. We are still genetically “wired” to thrive on the entrenched habits of our ancestors, who consumed different, nutrient-rich foods, a diet low in carbohydrates and who sustained greater levels of movement and exercise. Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to Insulin Resistance, while others develop the condition through high stress and unhealthy lifestyles.

Also check Dr. Barry Sears Books on Hormonal Balance.

INSULIN RESISTANCE NEGATIVELY AFFECTS GLUCOSE AND INSULIN LEVELS
SYMPTOMS OF PCOS

Doctors very often misdiagnose PCOS. This became an issue of critical concern after a study in 2000 found that women suffering from PCOS have a higher risk of coronary heart disease.

Researchers found a link between PCOS and other metabolic conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol, all of which are risk factors for coronary heart disease.

Studies have also shown an increased link between PCOS and atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty deposits called plague cling to the interior walls of the arteries, leading to blockages that can cause heart attacks or stroke. Not only do PCOS sufferers have higher rates of plaque buildup but those over 45 have thicker deposits of plaque.

Another report indicated that up to 40% of women with PCOS have either impaired glucose tolerance or Type II Diabetes by the age of 40.
Many conditions can be managed by ourselves. It is well worth it to check the information available on the internet.

My name is Sonja Radke; I have a very intense interest and concern with any condition that relates to Blood Glucose and Insulin. This is a researched article because of this interest. I myself suffer from Insulin and Blood Sugar Glucose conditions.
http://myhealthcafe.blogspot.com